One major problem, which the article touches on, is the media. Seems like normal people are usually presented as being completely baffled by the simplest bits of math and science. And those who understand math or science are presented as otherwise broken human beings: as people with egos out of control, people incapable of understanding other people, people who are irrationally evil, etc.

Let's act as if a solid understanding of math and science is the norm. Let's see more shows where being smart about math and science isn't some Lisa Simpson or Sheldon Cooper-like deviation from the norm, something that only comes along with social ostracism and other anti-normal traits. Let's see more news programs that regularly discuss scientific topics more deeply than "Stars. Sure they're beautiful to see at night, but are they causing your kids to get CANCER?"

Kids need role models. Basketball is no more inherently interesting than math and science. It's just putting an orange ball through a hoop. Over and over. And over. And over. But Lebron James is on my TV every other night, being celebrated on the court, in Samsung ads, on the news, etc. And if you say, well, that's because watching someone poke at a calculator isn't as exciting as watching slam dunks, well, you're buying into that shitty media representation of mathematicians and scientists as being exclusively pocket-protector-wearing geeks who never leave their windowless broom-closet offices...

Anyway. This is one reason I think Neil Degrasse Tyson is so important right now. He's an awesome role model. I'm 36 and I want to be him when I grow up.